18-Sep-24 17:00

Joshua Jerome Robert, Project Lead, Maker Programmes at the Arus Academy

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the Cabinet might revisit the decision to abolish the UPSR and PT3 exams as part of education reforms for a new curriculum in 2027. This follows concerns about students' difficulties in reading, writing, and arithmetic. We dissect this issue with Joshua Jerome Robert, a Project Lead for Maker Programmes at the Arus Academy.

Other stories we cover in this episode:

- The Persatuan Suku Jakun Pahang is urging the state to officially recognize native customary land rights after claims that Pahang handed Orang Asli financial responsibilities to private entities without proper consultation. One of the entities Enggang Holdings has received flak over its Pahang Peatland Restoration Project, which is regarded by the local community as clashing with native customary land. We spoke with Jaidi Musa, a committee member of Persatuan Suku Jakun Pahang about why his students are finding the projects problematic.

- Malaysia confirmed its first m-pox case in 2024, from 58 suspected cases this year. We ask Dr. Tan Seok Hong, a Public Health Medicine Specialist with the Disease Control Division at the Ministry of Health about its impact on surveillance efforts.

- Severe storms in Penang have damaged homes and uprooted trees, wreaking havoc on residents and motorists alike. We spoke with Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid about the challenges facing Penang's residents. We also reached out to Jelutong MP RSN Rayer for his thoughts on this incident.

- Redevelopment projects currently need unanimous consent from residents to move forward, but a new Residential Tenancy Bill could lower this requirement based on the type of buildings affected. We spoke with Camelia May Li Kusumo from the School of Architecture, Building and Design of Taylor's University to explore the potential impact of this change.

Image Credit: Juliette Lewis, Pexels